To the participants of the 16th congress of Azerbaijani teachers

Dear congress participants!

Dear teachers and education workers!

I sincerely greet you on the occasion of the beginning of the 16th congress of Azerbaijani teachers, extend my best regards to the education workers of our country, and wish you all good health and new achievements in your honorable endeavors.

This congress hold particular significance, as it takes place as part of “Heydar Aliyev Year” and is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the National Leader. Throughout his extensive career, the Great Leader consistently approached the dynamic development of education with sensitivity, demonstrating unparalleled care. Our educational institutions experienced periods of growth precisely during Heydar Aliyev's leadership. The successful steps taken in national education during that time, aligned with the demands of the era and future prospects, are the result of the consistent state policy implemented during that period.

Since the commencement of the implementation of the “State Strategy for the Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan”, there has been an expansion in the application of innovative initiatives across all pillars and levels of education. Special attention is consistently given to advancing management in the education system in line with the progressive global practices, improving our universities' positions in international rankings, and deepening the integration of education with science. Initiatives aimed at strengthening the resilience of the personnel reserve, enhancing the public influence of the teaching profession, and evaluating the activities of educators are well-received by the public.

The alignment of Azerbaijan's education system with progressive international standards is instrumental in cultivating a competitive human capital. The government provides comprehensive support for our talented youth, facilitating their pursuit of studies in prestigious higher education institutions abroad.

Following our brilliant victory in the Patriotic War, schools built to the most modern standards are now in operation in the liberated territories. The future worthy citizens are studying in these schools. The newly established Karabakh University will undoubtedly rejuvenate the historical educational environment in the region in the near future.

I am sure that your congress will make important decisions through comprehensive discussions, bringing together the country’s intellectual potential for sustainable development in education, with the firm commitment to achieving strategic goals in the field of education and reaching the objectives outlined in the First State Program for the Great Return by conducting a thorough analysis of the past.

By making exceptional efforts to shape our courageous and triumphant sons, who enabled our people to experience the joy of Victory, our devoted teachers, I believe, will continue to exert their utmost not only to impart excellent knowledge to the young generation but also to foster the growth of the youth in the spirit of dedication to national and moral values, as well as the ideology of Azerbaijanism.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 15 December 2023